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Can anyone tell me how the episodes in the boxed set of the complete series of “Have Gun, Will Travel” look and sound compared to the episodes in the individually released season sets? Are they basically the same? I’ve noticed that for the individually released season 1 set, the picture quality is okay (not spectacular), but the sound is pretty bad–very low volume and rather muffled. Have these particular sound problems been corrected in the boxed set of the complete series?

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Producer

Can anyone tell me how the episodes in the boxed set of the complete series of "Have Gun, Will Travel" look and sound compared to the episodes in the individually released season sets? Are they basically the same? I've noticed that for the individually released season 1 set, the picture quality is okay (not spectacular), but the sound is pretty bad--very low volume and rather muffled. Have these particular sound problems been corrected in the boxed set of the complete series?

That's a good question-- I have only 3 full seasons' worth (and the first parts of the fourth and fifth) of that 1957-63 CBS Western, and, as such, I may be incorrect here, but I believe that when CBS ports over all the individual releases of one of their series to one of their condensed all-in-ones, the picture and sound quality would practically be the same as it was on the individuals-- just my guess, though.

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"CBS Sports presents...The Prudential College Football Report, sponsored by The Prudential, offering a full range of insurance and other financial services. The Prudential: the Rock...it's strong, it's on the move, it's bigger than life."

(Don Robertson's opening from The Prudential College Football Report in the 1986 season, modified from what it was in 1985, in that "other financial services" was said instead of just "financial services")

Auditioning

That's a good question-- I have only 3 full seasons' worth (and the first parts of the fourth and fifth) of that 1957-63 CBS Western, and, as such, I may be incorrect here, but I believe that when CBS ports over all the individual releases of one of their series to one of their condensed all-in-ones, the picture and sound quality would practically be the same as it was on the individuals-- just my guess, though.

I imagine you're probably right, Ben, but I'd like to be sure. I own the same individual releases as you (minus season 5, part 1), and I might be tempted to get the complete series set IF the quality on the early seasons is better.

"CBS Sports presents...The Prudential College Football Report, sponsored by The Prudential, offering a full range of insurance and other financial services. The Prudential: the Rock...it's strong, it's on the move, it's bigger than life."

(Don Robertson's opening from The Prudential College Football Report in the 1986 season, modified from what it was in 1985, in that "other financial services" was said instead of just "financial services")

Producer

Yes, there were no changes and keep in mind Seasons 1-2-3 were not remastered because they were released early in the history of CBS/Paramount putting DVDs out. Seasons 4-5-6 came much later on (there was a hiatus of several years between season 3-4 at least) and those seasons were remastered and look better.

Auditioning

Thank you, everyone, for this helpful info! It's too bad the earlier seasons aren't in better shape, but the episodes are still very watchable (I just have to adjust the treble and crank up the volume to try to catch all the dialogue). Richard Boone sure did a memorable job of portraying Paladin (calm, soft-spoken, and philosophical one moment but ready to explode the next), and it still amazes me how much story they managed to pack into a half-hour show.

Producer

Thank you, everyone, for this helpful info! It's too bad the earlier seasons aren't in better shape, but the episodes are still very watchable (I just have to adjust the treble and crank up the volume to try to catch all the dialogue). Richard Boone sure did a memorable job of portraying Paladin (calm, soft-spoken, and philosophical one moment but ready to explode the next), and it still amazes me how much story they managed to pack into a half-hour show.

Not a problem! In fact, Have Gun has been the first Western I've ever liked in any way (most things of that genre, whether film or television, were seemingly of such a low caliber as to sour me on that genre, but Have Gun really hit the spot, so much so that I've finished two seasons' worth, and am working on the third); I've even finished another Western, Wanted: Dead or Alive, that also on CBS, and that one from 1958-61.

Expand signature

"CBS Sports presents...The Prudential College Football Report, sponsored by The Prudential, offering a full range of insurance and other financial services. The Prudential: the Rock...it's strong, it's on the move, it's bigger than life."

(Don Robertson's opening from The Prudential College Football Report in the 1986 season, modified from what it was in 1985, in that "other financial services" was said instead of just "financial services")

Auditioning

Not a problem! In fact, Have Gun has been the first Western I've ever liked in any way (most things of that genre, whether film or television, were seemingly of such a low caliber as to sour me on that genre, but Have Gun really hit the spot, so much so that I've finished two seasons' worth, and am working on the third); I've even finished another Western, Wanted: Dead or Alive, that also on CBS, and that one from 1958-61.

Both of those are great shows. I have the complete series of Wanted: Dead or Alive on DVD, although I haven't finished watching all of the episodes. Great to see Steve McQueen early in his career, being both cool and, at times, quite funny. One of my favorite episodes from season 1 of Wanted is "Ransom for a Nun," which I remember has some pretty humorous moments.

As you may know, the first 15 or so episodes were initially issued on disc by ColumbiaHouse. These were digitally-mastered either by CH or CBS itself. (Of course, "digitally mastered" doesn't automatically mean superior-quality, esp. for third-party releases - and,ofcourse, CH could only do so much with what they got). After retail classic-TV-on-DVD caught fire, CH discontinued their "Re-TV" video line, and eventually CBS issued "Have Gun Will Travel: Season One" but did no further remastering until Season 4. At least this is how I had understood it. Although I don't own a copy of Season 1", I've seen the episodes, and remember noting a "slight" drop in PQ part-way through the season.

Producer

As you may know, the first 15 or so episodes were initially issued on disc by ColumbiaHouse. These were digitally-mastered either by CH or CBS itself. (Of course, "digitally mastered" doesn't automatically mean superior-quality, esp. for third-party releases - and,ofcourse, CH could only do so much with what they got). After retail classic-TV-on-DVD caught fire, CH discontinued their "Re-TV" video line, and eventually CBS issued "Have Gun Will Travel: Season One" but did no further remastering until Season 4. At least this is how I had understood it. Although I don't own a copy of Season 1", I've seen the episodes, and remember noting a "slight" drop in PQ part-way through the season.